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Ulusal Travma Ve Acil Cerrahi Dergisi =... Aug 2022Traffic accidents are among the most common causes of death. A small proportion of drownings are associated with traffic accidents. The roads in the Eastern Black Sea...
BACKGROUND
Traffic accidents are among the most common causes of death. A small proportion of drownings are associated with traffic accidents. The roads in the Eastern Black Sea Region, where the study was conducted are fairly close to the seas, rivers, and ponds. This study aims to evaluate the cases who underwent autopsies after the traffic accident between 2009 and 2016 and who were found to have died as a result of drowning.
METHODS
A retrospective examination was made of the autopsy reports in the period 2009-2016.
RESULTS
As a result of the examination of forensic reports, from a total of 7124 autopsies performed in our center between 2009 and 2016, 41 (0.57%) were seen to be due to death in a traffic accident that resulted in drowning. Of the vehicles involved in the ac-cidents, 30 (73.2%) were retrieved from a river/stream, 7 (17.1%) from a lake, and 4 (9.7%) from the sea. In all 39 cases, the primary cause of death was determined as asphyxia related to drowning. Other reasons affecting death were traumatic intracranial bleeding in 7 (17.1%) cases, medulla spinalis injury in 4 (9.7%), and pulmonary injury in 2 (4.9%).
CONCLUSION
It was determined in the study that the typical autopsy results of trauma and drowning after a traffic accident could coexist. Drowning alone could be the cause of death, even though there was a traumatic origin such as a traffic accident in such cases. It was revealed that chemical and microscopic examinations should be handled together with crime scene results and eyewitness statements in addition to traumatic results during the examination phase.
Topics: Accidents; Accidents, Traffic; Automobiles; Cause of Death; Drowning; Humans; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35920420
DOI: 10.14744/tjtes.2021.35915 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2020The chemical industry has made great contributions to the national economy, but frequent chemical plant explosion accidents (CPEAs) have also caused heavy property...
The chemical industry has made great contributions to the national economy, but frequent chemical plant explosion accidents (CPEAs) have also caused heavy property losses and casualties, as the CPEA is the result of interaction of many related risk factors, leading to uncertainty in the evolution of the accident. To systematically excavate and analyze the underlying causes of accidents, this paper first integrates emergency elements in the frame of orbit intersection theory and proposes 14 nodes to represent the evolution path of the accident. Then, combined with historical data and expert experience, a Bayesian network (BN) model of CPEAs was established. Through scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis, the interaction between factors and the impact of the factors on accident consequences was evaluated. It is found that the direct factors have the most obvious influence on the accident consequences, and the unsafe conditions contribute more than the unsafe behaviors. Furthermore, considering the factor chain, the management factors, especially safety education and training, are the key link of the accident that affects unsafe behaviors and unsafe conditions. Moreover, effective government emergency response has played a more prominent role in controlling environmental pollution. In addition, the complex network relationship between elements is presented in a sensitivity index matrix, and we extracted three important risk transmission paths from it. The research provides support for enterprises to formulate comprehensive safety production management strategies and control key factors in the risk transmission path to reduce CPEA risks.
Topics: Accidents; Accidents, Occupational; Bayes Theorem; Chemical Industry; Explosions; Hazardous Substances; Humans; Risk Assessment; Safety Management
PubMed: 32722457
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17155364 -
Bulletin of the World Health... Mar 2015To examine the extent to which effective interventions to prevent unintentional child injury are reflected in the laws and regulations of China. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To examine the extent to which effective interventions to prevent unintentional child injury are reflected in the laws and regulations of China.
METHODS
We focused on the six common causes of fatal child injuries - drowning, road traffic injury, falls, poisoning, burns and suffocation. We investigated 27 interventions recommended by the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Health Organization or the European Child Safety Alliance. We searched China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Lawyee for Chinese legislations using keywords and synonyms for the 27 interventions. We reviewed the identified legislations for statements specifying the responsible implementation department.
FINDINGS
Seven national laws, nine regulations of the State Council and 46 departmental regulations were found to relate to at least one of the interventions. Although seven of the 27 internationally recommended interventions were covered by Chinese laws, 10 were not covered by any current Chinese law or regulation. None of the interventions against drowning and falls that we investigated was covered by national laws. The implementation responsibilities for effective interventions were either not specified or were assigned to multiple governmental departments in 11 or 20 legislative documents, respectively.
CONCLUSION
In Chinese laws and regulations, interventions proven to prevent major causes of unintentional child injuries are underrepresented and the associated implementation responsibilities are often poorly defined. China should include all such interventions in laws and regulations, and assign implementation responsibility for each to a single department of the national government.
Topics: Accident Prevention; Accidental Falls; Accidents; Accidents, Traffic; Adolescent; Adult; Burns; Child; Child Welfare; Child, Preschool; China; Drowning; Female; Head Protective Devices; Humans; Infant; Male; Wounds and Injuries; Young Adult
PubMed: 25838612
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.14.139998 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2021This study used methodologies of descriptive and quantitative statistics to identify the contributing factors most affecting occupational accident outcomes among...
This study used methodologies of descriptive and quantitative statistics to identify the contributing factors most affecting occupational accident outcomes among electrical contracting enterprises, given an accident occurred. Accident reports were collected from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's fatality and catastrophe database. To ensure the reliability of the data, the team manually codified more than 600 incidents through a comprehensive content analysis using injury-classification standards. Inclusive of both fatal and non-fatal injuries, the results showed that most accidents happened in , , and (i.e., $50,000 or less). The main source of injuries manifested in (46%), followed by (19%), and (16%). The most frequent types of injuries were (31%), (27%), and (14%); the main injured body parts were (25%), (23%), and (18%). Among non-fatal cases, (37%), (36%), and (19%) caused most injuries; among fatal cases, was the leading cause of death (50%), followed by (28%) and (19%). The analysis also investigated the impact of several accident factors on the degree of injuries and found significant effects from such factors such as , , , , , and . In other words, the statistical probability of a fatal accident-given an accident occurrence-changes significantly based on the degree of these factors. The results of this study, as depicted in the proposed decision tree model, revealed that the most important factor for predicting the nature of injury (electrical or non-electrical) is: whether the source of injury is ; followed by whether the source of injury is . In other words, in predicting (with a 94.31% accuracy) the nature of injury as electrical or non-electrical, whether the source of injury is and whether the source of injury is are very important. Seven decision rules were derived from the proposed decision tree model. Beyond these outcomes, the described methodology contributes to the accident-analysis body of knowledge by providing a framework for codifying data from accident reports to facilitate future analysis and modeling attempts to subsequently mitigate more injuries in other fields.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Accidents, Occupational; Electricity; Occupational Health; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 34066030
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105126 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2022In hazardous materials transportation systems, accident causation analysis is important to transportation safety. Complex network theory can be effectively used to...
In hazardous materials transportation systems, accident causation analysis is important to transportation safety. Complex network theory can be effectively used to understand the causal factors of and their relationships within accidents. In this paper, a higher-order network method is proposed to establish a hazardous materials transportation accident causation network (HMTACN), which considers the sequences and dependences of causal factors. The HMTACN is composed of 125 first- and 118 higher-order nodes that represent causes, and 545 directed edges that denote complex relationships among causes. By analyzing topological properties, the results show that the HMTACN has the characteristics of small-world networks and displays the properties of scale-free networks. Additionally, critical causal factors and key relationships of the HMTACN are discovered. Moreover, unsafe tank or valve states are important causal factors; and leakage, roll-over, collision, and fire are most likely to trigger chain reactions. Important higher-order nodes are discovered, which can represent key relationships in the HMTACN. For example, unsafe distance and improper operation usually lead to collision and roll-over. These results of higher-order nodes cannot be found by the traditional Markov network model. This study provides a practical way to extract and construct an accident causation network from numerous accident investigation reports. It also provides insights into safety management of hazardous materials transportation.
Topics: Hazardous Substances; Accidents; Transportation; Safety Management; Causality
PubMed: 36293920
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013337 -
BMC Public Health Apr 2021Since 2004, Brazil has had a national policy for occupational health and safety. This policy means companies' tax burden is altered according to the numbers of...
BACKGROUND
Since 2004, Brazil has had a national policy for occupational health and safety. This policy means companies' tax burden is altered according to the numbers of work-related accidents and ill-health amongst their workers. In 2010, a multiplication factor was introduced to this policy, called the Accident Prevention Factor. The idea of this new multiplication factor is to encourage individual employers to take initiatives to prevent accidents and ill health in the workplace. This study was designed to investigate the incidence of work-related accidents and ill-health in Brazil according to their causes, their severity, and the economic activity in which they occur, and to compare the data before and after the introduction of the Accident Prevention Factor.
METHODS
An ecological study was conducted by analyzing the time series of work-related accidents/ill-health between 2008 and 2014 from the Brazilian social security system (Previdência Social) statistical yearbooks. Incidences were calculated per cause, economic activity, and severity of the accident/ill-health. Data from before and after the introduction of the Accident Prevention Factor were compared using the Mann-Whitney test per cause and per economic activity. Statistical analyses were made using the SPSS software, with significance set at 5%.
RESULTS
A reduction in the incidence of work-related accidents/ill-health was found across all the groups of causes analyzed, except for the groups "external causes of morbidity and mortality" and "factors influencing health status and contact with health services." Greater reductions were found for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue and diseases of the nervous system. Reductions in work-related accidents/ill-health were found in the different economic activities and in the different severity groups. The highest reduction after the introduction of the Accident Prevention Factor was in manufacturing and production (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the incidence of accidents/ill-health was found to be on decline, except those with external causes of morbidity and mortality and those involving factors influencing health status and contact with health services. The biggest reduction was found in manufacturing and production. However, generally speaking progress still needs to be made in accident prevention and occupational health across a whole range of work environments.
Topics: Accident Prevention; Accidents, Occupational; Brazil; Humans; Occupational Health; Social Security
PubMed: 33853572
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10706-y -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2022The frequent occurrence of ammonia-related refrigeration accidents (ArRAs) restricts the safety and sustainable development of cold storage. As an essential tool for...
The frequent occurrence of ammonia-related refrigeration accidents (ArRAs) restricts the safety and sustainable development of cold storage. As an essential tool for safety management, accident statistical analysis can provide a crucial decision-making basis for accident prevention and control. The present study combined descriptive statistics and comparative analysis methods to explore the characteristics and regularities of 82 ArRAs in China from 2010 to 2020. The results showed that the annual evolution of ArRAs presents a bimodal "M" mode in which 2013 and 2016 were the peaking years of accidents. The monthly distribution has an agglomeration effect, and the period from June to September had a high incidence period of accidents. The ArRAs mainly occurred in East China and Central China in the spatial dimension. Zhejiang, Shandong, Hubei, and Sichuan are the pivotal provinces for preventing and controlling ArRAs. Human factors and equipment failure are the leading causes of ArRAs. Accident numbers and casualties have inconsistent trends due to the uncertainty and variability of ArRAs' consequences. The safety situation of ammonia-related refrigeration enterprises has improved but still needs to strive to prevent and control major accidents. This study draws valuable references for safety decision-making by ammonia-related refrigeration enterprises and safety regulators.
Topics: Accidents; Ammonia; China; Humans; Refrigeration; Safety Management
PubMed: 35886081
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148230 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2022Storm disasters are the most common cause of accidents in offshore oil and gas industries. To prevent accidents resulting from storms, it is vital to analyze accident...
Storm disasters are the most common cause of accidents in offshore oil and gas industries. To prevent accidents resulting from storms, it is vital to analyze accident propagation and to learn about accident mechanism from previous accidents. In this paper, a novel risk analysis framework is proposed for systematically identifying and analyzing the evolution of accident causes. First, accident causal factors are identified and coded based on grounded theory (GT). Then, decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) is integrated with interpretative structural modeling (ISM) to establish accident evolution hierarchy. Finally, complex networks (CN) are developed to analyze the evolution process of accidents. Compared to reported works, the contribution is threefold: (1) the demand for expert knowledge and personnel subjective influence are reduced through the data induction of accident cases; (2) the method of establishing influence matrix and interaction matrix is improved according to the accident frequency analysis; (3) a hybrid algorithm that can calculate multiple shortest paths of accident evolution under the same node pair is proposed. This method provides a new idea for step-by-step assessment of the accident evolution process, which weakens the subjectivity of traditional methods and achieves quantitative assessment of the importance of accident evolution nodes. The proposed method is demonstrated and validated by a case study of major offshore oil and gas industry accidents caused by storm disasters. Results show that there are five key nodes and five critical paths in the process of accident evolution. Through targeted prevention and control of these nodes and paths, the average shortest path length of the accident evolution network is increased by 35.19%, and the maximum global efficiency decreases by 20.12%. This indicates that the proposed method has broad applicability and can effectively reduce operational risk, so that it can guide actual offshore oil and gas operations during storm disasters.
Topics: Accidents; Accidents, Occupational; Disasters; Industry; Oil and Gas Industry; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 35742465
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127216 -
Work (Reading, Mass.) 2018It is well known that electrical accidents can cause physical injury. Less well known is that long-term consequences may include emotional and cognitive problems.
BACKGROUND
It is well known that electrical accidents can cause physical injury. Less well known is that long-term consequences may include emotional and cognitive problems.
OBJECTIVE
To explore electricians' experiences and perceptions of work-related electrical accidents, with focus on psychological short- and long-term consequences, including how contacts with health care services and the workplace were perceived.
METHODS
Semi-structured interviews with 23 Swedish male electricians, aged 25- 68, who had experienced at least one electrical accident and reported residual sensory, musculoskeletal, cognitive or emotional symptoms. Data was analyzed by means of qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
Immediate emotional reactions included surprise, confusion, fear, anxiety, and anger; also long-term consequences were seen. Experiencing a no-let-go situation was particularly stressful. The cause of the accident, and questions about guilt and blame were central in the aftermath. Lack of knowledge and routine among health care professionals concerning electrical injury was reported, as well as lack of medical and psychological follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
For some informants, the accident had been a life-changing event, while for others it was an event of little importance. Adequate handling at the workplace, and from health care personnel, including follow-up, could facilitate rehabilitation and return to work.
Topics: Accidents; Adult; Aged; Electric Injuries; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Life Change Events; Male; Middle Aged; Perception; Qualitative Research; Sweden
PubMed: 30124461
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-182765 -
Ulusal Travma Ve Acil Cerrahi Dergisi =... Oct 2023The percentage of e-scooter use quickly escalated in our community due to its convenience, low cost, and eases of use. The number of accidents causing high-energy...
BACKGROUND
The percentage of e-scooter use quickly escalated in our community due to its convenience, low cost, and eases of use. The number of accidents causing high-energy traumas has also increased. This study aims to describe the demographic char-acteristics and fracture patterns of patients admitted to the emergency department following an e-scooter accident and to identify common, correctable factors that increased the likelihood of accidents.
METHODS
Between January 2022 and August 2022, 43 patients (20 females and 23 males) who were admitted to the emergency department after an e-scooter accident and developed extremity fractures were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups those treated surgically and conservatively. Parameters such as the time of the accident, education level of the user, alcohol use, e-scooter malfunction, and compliance with traffic rules were evaluated.
RESULTS
Accidents that led to treatment by surgery mostly occurred between 11 pm and 7 am. Surgically treated patients were mostly high school graduates. Alcohol use and recreational scooter use rates were statistically higher in the operated patients when compared to patients who were treated conservatively. The number of patients who reported a malfunction in the e-scooter was significantly lower in the operated group than in the conservative group. The rates of accidents due to non-compliance with traffic laws, driving at full speed of the e-scooter, use on the driveway, and presence of wet ground at the time of the accident were higher in the surgically treated patient group. Surgically treated patients also had a higher rate of being 1st time e-scooter users.
CONCLUSION
Although governments have introduced many regulations regarding e-scooter use, the current situation seems insufficient in solving the problem. E-scooter users should be further educated about the associated risks. Authorities should tighten their supervision of scooter rental companies and drivers. Nighttime usage conditions should be reviewed, and the use of alcohol should be controlled. The use of helmets should be mandatory. If such regulations are tightened, accident rates can be reduced or high-energy impacts from existing accidents can be avoided. The results suggest that experienced, slow, non-alcoholic, and rule-abiding drivers require less operative treatment. This article will hopefully raise awareness and improve e-scooter regulations.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Accidents, Traffic; Dreams; Accidents; Fractures, Bone; Hospitalization; Emergency Service, Hospital; Retrospective Studies; Head Protective Devices
PubMed: 37791439
DOI: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.35848